Hi all
I know lots of advice has been given about what to do if dogs wont eat - i guess i know what i should and shouldn't do but just feel i need to rant a bit to people who might understand as feeling frustrated with my little girl.

I have tried everything that has been suggested on here before to get my 15mth old to eat. She will eat something new maybe for a few days then not touch it. I feed AG and my 4 others eat no trouble at all. I always mix something with it as i believe its boring having the same old food day in day out, I have used all the wet meats such as naturediet, tripe, natures menu, bozita, scrambled egg, pilchards etc etc, cheese gets her to smell her bowl and she licks this off the top. She is just so uninterested i've never had a dog like her before, even with competition of one of the otheres in the room with her makes no difference (cant put all 4 together as one eats so fast she then pushes whoever is slow out of they way and procedes to eat theirs! often causing fights).

I've also tried different bowls and served her dinner on a proper plate!

They have salmon oil on there dinner once a day but it makes no difference, gravy no difference with her. The only thing she will eat is tripe sticks, the little liver pro train treats and chicken wings.

I wouldn't normally be getting my under garments in such a twist about it but I show her and her breed needs to be quite full bodied and stocky. We do well at shows getting a place normally but i think we would do much better if she had more substance to her body, the winning dogs always have more meat on them. Dont know that i can afford to just pick her food up after 15mins (worried she'll get to thin looking) esp as the show season is getting going.

I feed twice a day and when i do the food the other 4 are going bananas and she just lays under the table stretched out not showing any interest at all.

thanks for reading and listening

Lorri

I'm sorry that I can't make any suggestions but can totally sympathise with you.  I had one just like that - I was under the impression (foolishly) that dogs were like children, if they didn't eat you didn't let them have sweets or pudding.  How wrong I was - my girlie was very fussy and just wouldn't eat her food, this started when she was about 6 mths old and this lack of interest in food meant that she didn't get the bone she needed for the show ring.  it was only when a friend commented on her back bone that I realised I'd made a mistake in my feeding regime.  Over the years I've added meat and allsorts to her food - fed her by hand, you name it I tried it.

I wish you luck in finding something that will tempt her.

My boy was a really bad eater for the first year. Picking the bowl up just resulted in a dog that didn't eat for 4 days. Llike you I tried all sorts. I'd find some topper he would like but then after a few days he'd stop again. What finally worked was one, feeding him less. I think it's really easy to over feed complete (I know you want yours to body up but if she ate she'd probably be better). Second I changed the topping every day. Worked a treat. Maybe you already do that.

What's worked even better is feeding raw. His bowl is always polished clean now. Funny thing is I feed my bitch puppy complete in the morning and now if I throw a handful of plain, dry kibble in his bowl he scarfs it down like a treat. I know you'll understand the irony of that statement!

A farmer friend of mine always said starve them and they'll soon start to eat - might be worth a try

Been there done that with my Kizi now 10 1/2 year old pinch anything as son as your back is turned, and will even eat a lettuce that is starting to go brown at the edges!

I fed her Arden Grange Prestige until she was two, as ti was the only food she would eat enough of to keep going, albeit lean and show reports of more body and coat needed, very sound.

I mated her two weeks before her second birthday with the idea of that helping, ti did for the duration of puppy rearing and post puppy recovery, until her season, and then she was back to picking.  So I just accepted it, put food down and if uneaten took it up again, never gave extra on the days she did eat, and gradually all the meals started being eaten, but it took until she was about 4 before she ate everything put down for her at meal times.

well thank you all for your support and its nice to know I'm not the only one with a non eating dog!

I'll just keep trying to vary it and hope for the best - she is on Prestige AG so dont really want to change that as it is good.

I will try and put less in the bowl then if she does eat it or part of it then that will make me feel better anyway! I think she would like raw but not sure i could 5 dogs on it - we already have fights over tripe sticks and new toys so raw bones everyday might cause more guarding and fighting.

Lorri

> A farmer friend of mine always said starve them and they'll soon start to eat - might be worth a try

Oh they will eat all right but a few days later they starve themselves for days then the cycle goes on. Result a dog that is alive but too thin to show. I realy feel your 'pain' Lorripop as I have one myself. People suggesting changing kibble or adding something extra as a tempter are underestimating the problem in the case of the true anorexic. My dog eats nothing for up to 5 days then a little bit then starves himself etc etc etc.
PM me Lorripop if you'd like support.

I usually have some B Sorb in for cases like your dog & for afteer illness/operations etc

A friend of mine had a young Great Dane bitch, who wouldn't eat & looked almost like a cruelty case, she gave her some B sorb & not only did she improve, she stayed improved 7 became a very good eater

One of my boys was like this.  The OH even resorted to cooking for him, worked for a few days then he'd turn his nose up at it!

He eventually started eating when puppy arrived.  the look on his face when the puppy ate his meals was a complete picture. When we first got the puppy, he used to stand over him with his nose a few centimetres from puppy watching him eating!!   We found cooked mince of a variety of flavours worked well, but it had to be warm.  We used to buy big packs of minced lamb and sides of Pork (minced it ourselves) from costco, portioned them and froze them.  These together with liver worked well, but we always had to make sure he didnt get the same thing twice in a row!  The meat was fed at tea time and breakfast was half a tin of cat food (tried tinned dog food - NO WAY was he eating that!).  Both meals were fed with complete food, with main meal in the evenings and half portion in the morning, as I found this suited him better.   Did debate about feeding raw, but found the secret to getting him to eat was to feed it warm!  

Jill

I think she does prefer warm and have tired mince in the past freshly cooked and she'll eat for a few days.

Don't get me wrong she's not anorexic or too thin - to a vet they would say she was about right BUT for showing her I know she needs more substance for the judge to feel. To me she has still got too much of a waist line (am i jealous .... of course!!!).

thanks for the different tips, i will try all - not at once though!

Do a Google search for 'Satin Balls' - this receipe has helped a few of mine gain weight

Have you tried hot buttered toast with pate. Cut it up into small pieces and feed it by hand and occasionally eat a piece yourself, (not for any particular reason, it's just delicious).

I feed five dogs raw food - takes a little organisation but it works.

When it comes to feeding raw bones ie recreational bones, i put out 6 or 7 bones in the garden, then there is more bones than dogs and anyone who finishes first wont steal off someone else. I also supervise that just in case though.

If you cant do that with yours, then with recreational bones, just do it on a rota, stick two who wont fight out with their bones, then swap later.

Had same problem with one of my girls - after lots of effort I found putting Kronch salmon oil on the food, with a little boiled rice mixed in, or cottage cheese!!! it worked a treat and she evetually went back to the same varied diet as my other dogs as long as we stuck to adding the oil.

Oh they will eat all right but a few days later they starve themselves for days then the cycle goes on. Result a dog that is alive but too thin to show

This is far from true!
I have a dog who I almost retired from the ring at the age of 2 due to the fact he wouldn't eat.He had no energy and looked far from great.I have 2 other dogs  who ate fine.I was at my wits end and so asked a good freind and and a lady who I trust completely what to do.She advised not to feed him for 3 days...nothing but water and to continue to feed the others as normal.I did as advised...and it was HARD!!! But 4 years down the line he has never refused a days food....regardless of what it is.I have known several others who have since used this to solve the problem...all with the same outcome.

Thank you all for your input - it is really nice to hear different experiences.

Mabel and I have been at a show today and she's eaten a few 'markies' biscuits and a tripe stick. Made her dinner when we got home, AG with fresh tripe (as she ate it last night, well the tripe anyway)) sniffed and walked away. I was really good and picked it up after 15mins, along with my westies who has aslo decided not to eat biscuits, just wants tasty meat!

Hopefully she'll be starving tomorrow morning! Only a week before birmingham national .... a class for less beefy dogs would be good.

just searched 'satin balls' mmm sounds nice!

Has anyone made these?? what do you class as total cereal? molasses? can all this be got in local supermarket?

Thanks

Just found this for Satin Balls

This recipe is one for putting weight on an animal quickly, and some use it for putting a couple extra pounds on a show animal prior to the big day, or an animal that may have been ill and needs a weight gain program. It has also been reported that this recipe will help with some forms of hair loss, such as when your dog(s) blow their coat, to keep the coat healthy and shiny. This recipe is intended to be fed raw.

10lb hamburger meat
1 jar wheat germ
1 lg box of oatmeal (uncooked)
1 1/4 Cup vegetable oil
10 eggs
10 sm pkgs unflavored gelatin
1 1/4 Cup unflavored molasses
A pinch of salt
1 lg box Total cereal (2lb's)
(You may also add a pinch of garlic powder to add flavor)

Mix all ingredients together well, much like a meatloaf....put into separate freezer bags and freeze, thawing out as needed. It puts weight on in a very short time, not to mention the gloss in their coat. You can use it every day when they have a show to do and it does not produce diarrhoea. It can be fed alone or with kibble.

Total cereal is cornflakes.

Sorb B from The Animal health Company.

sorts my boy out every time his vit b12 levels drop, he stops eating and will drop weight very quickly.

its a rapid tonic that works.

well reccomended!

having same problem with my 12 month old pup, he was always a good eater until about 6 weeks ago!!! so just going to asda to get ingredients for satin balls!!! will let you know how we get on, it sounds disgusting but hey if it works give anything a go!!

let me know what you buy and if easy to get hold of, I definitley want to try them on her.

Lorri

hi, well been on a jaunt to asda, got everything needed except the wheatgerm, so couldnt put that in, but everything else as per recipe above, just did half the measure to see how we go, it looks disgusting; anyway made it up, put some in his lordships dish before putting rest in the freezer and pleased to report he gobbled it up!!! so watch this space and will see how we go on, i weighed him before his first meal of it and he was 28.8kg so will weigh him next week and see if there is any gain, i would like him to be around 30.5 to 31kg.

Don't forget Bertsmum, to freeze then defrost the mince. Read a post on here somewhere that mince has to be frozen then thawed before use as it has a parasite that can be dangerous to dogs, but freezing first kills it!!!

oops yes forgot about that, thanks for reminding me, just been and popped the portion i had left out for his tea in the freezer. In the excitement I obviously lost part of my brain!!!!

Hi Bertsmum - what was molasses and which aisle for oatmeal. Did you soften gelating leaves first or is it the powder stuff?

gonna go shopping maybe later and get everything.

If your dog is not eating properly satin balls are not the answer...you need to get your dog eating a proper balanced diet.For a start stop feeding ANY treats...dinner only.I would also only feed once a day and if push comes to shove try the 3 day starve.Feeding a dog bits and peices of treats and satin balls to put on weight is not healthy.

hi, molasses with baking stuff and oatmeal with the breakfast cereals, got big bag of asda smart price oats for 60p, as i say couldnt find the wheat germ so had to leave that out!!! as killichick says total cereal is cornflakes so again big bag of asda smart price at 57p. but blimey its a difficult one to mix, got muscles on my spit!!!!

Asa, I have tried all the once a day and leave them they will eat when hungray, didnt work I am afraid.

forgot to add lorripop that i used the powder gelatine (only one that i could get at asda)

>If your dog is not eating properly satin balls are not the answer...you need to get your dog eating a proper balanced diet.For a start stop feeding ANY treats...dinner only.I would also only feed once a day and if push comes to shove try the 3 day starve.Feeding a dog bits and peices of treats and satin balls to put on weight is not healthy.

I agree.  Malnutrition can lead to loss of appetite and loss of appetite leads to malnutrition, gets into a vicious circle.

I had one like this years ago, still have her, she's going on 12 now.  She came from rescue, badly underweight, fur falling out, malnourished and would not eat! 

I put her on a nutritional supplement (similar to what MM suggests in her post, got it from PAH, can't remember the name of it now) and fed her Beta Field for working dogs.  She'd continue to turn her nose up but it was a case of don't eat then starve because I wouldn't give her anything else.  I know....Bad owner :-D.  Anyhow, she ate regularly after a couple of weeks of starting and stopping, put on weight with a lovely glossy coat and we have never looked back since.  Sometimes we have to be cruel to be kind.

I know the what your saying is right and my dog is on a good diet and will eat when she feels like it BUT like I said I would like her to be more solid because of the showing aspect, most of her competition and the ones that are placed before her do have a lot more covering.

If she ate her dinner twice a day then I know she would gain a bit more weight and still be healthy and I'd be happy but she doesn't. We have a good few days then nothing for a couple of days so just when i think I've found the stuff she likes she changes her mind!!!

my irish boy was like this, as a youngster he would starve himself for a week, nothing would get him to eat, even raw.  So I went down the route of force feeding him :(  each morning I would give him his food, just a bowl of tripe or other meat.  If he refused it then I would sit him down, roll a sausage of tripe in my hand and pop it down his throat just like a worming tablet.  I would do a whole block of tripe like that.  After a week of that he started eating, if he ever stopped again it would only take a couple of "sausages" down this throat and he would then eat the rest of the bowl.  It isnt the best way, and care has to be taken but he was stick thin and everyone commented on it, it was the only way. 

> So I went down the route of force feeding him

Not quite the same but simillar - I will hand feed him with his wet or dry food when he is being picky. Wet, I will take small portions in the palm of my hand and he will eat from there. Dry, I've been known to feed AG one at a time - 90 pellets once, I counted ;) Sometimes he will eat more from my hand, me feeding him, than eating it himself lazy tyke. Bit like mygirls when they were babies, they ate less when they fed themselves !!!
I even pretended to eat his food from his bowl, he soon came to eat then :)

Luckily I only have to entice Louis a few times each week. I've found if I make each meal slightly different then he will eat it

nope, hand feeding never cut it with Fagan, it was shove it down his throat or he wouldnt touch it :(

This thread worries me a little..

If your dog is not putting on the weight youd like it to put on:

1/ consider that the dog is the right weight for him or her and put aside your showing issues for the time being - whats more important, your dogs health, or prizes prizes prizes? (though.. i do like shiny rossies!).

2/consider that if your dog is not eating the food you set out, perhaps he or she actually absolutely HATES that food. How would you feel if forced to eat something you detested - tapioca anyone?

3/is there something physically wrong with the dog - mentally wrong with the dog - food issues can be a medical problem, but can often be a behavioural problem.

I have only ever had to force feed a VERY ill dog (I had to syringe feed down her throat runny food, stress and a very badly bruised throat and neck stopped her eating).

My pup is a little lighter than most of her breed and whilst obviously i have thought about it and considered options and discussed it with her breeder, a little increase in some of the more fatty meats she eats, the addition of a few more vits/mins and im pretty confident that will see her right (certainly seems to be doing). Im certainly not going to force feed her to make her put on weight so she does better in teh show ring though!

Putting down lots of variations and additions to a meal already refused merely teaches your dog to hold out for something better. If you feed a relatively bland diet, or the same flavour day in day out, who can blame your dog for having the smarts to work out how to get you to dance to their tune?

With a real non eater, convinced what I am putting down is poison - once i have ascertained that they are messing about and do not actually detest the food (ie they eat it if its given as a treat or tidbit, but refuse when its in a bowl, they eat it with cheese on but not without), then i get tough.

Miss a meal.

Feed half or third of a normal portion next meal.

Pick up all uneaten food within 5 or 10 minutes (though if the dog is still eating actively rather than ignoring or just idley grazing then i give it longer, chicken carcasses take longer than 5 minutes).

NO treats, NO scraps, NO tidbits. Train after meals are eaten.

Carry this on for at least a week - if your dog is not eating what is put down then, there is something very very wrong with it and a vet is what you need (and maybe a behaviourist), not further faffing with tasty tempting morsels!

I used to have fussy dogs who turned their noses up, missed meals, grazed.

I changed what I fed, and the way I fed it, and now i have no fussy dogs (even an elderly saluki did not die of starvation feeding this way, and she WAS convinced i was attempting to poison her!) - my dogs try everything they are given.

Now, because my dogs get a great deal of variation, i know if they dont eat something, they actually dont LIKE it, rather than are being fussy (Rocky doesnt like bananas, Pteppic thinks strawberrys are the devils food, Kelda.... uh no she eats everything including my flipping garlic plants just sprouting!)..

Yes I know she is an ok weight but just would be nice to have a critique that doesn't say 'needs to body up' as this then makes me think she's skinny.

If I am away the kids say she eats everything so i am wondering if its me that she's playing up, waiting for me to put other things in the bowl but even then she wont touch it.

she may be picking up tension from you, try not to make meal times a big deal ( I know this is a really hard thing to do !!)

My dog went through a fussy eater stage, and still tries it on now and then.   I tried buying different types of food, mixing her favourite biscuits with the food, but she'd root out the biscuits and leave the rest.  I tried hand feeding her, which worked, but I didn't want to be doing this every meal.  In the end, I put her bowl of food down, and after 5 minutes of her not eating, I made her watch as I put the food in the bin.  I did the same that evening, and the following morning.  By the evening of day 2 she ate the lot.  I also refused to give her any snacks/treats.  Now at the slightest sign of her going back to her old habits, I move her bowl towards the bin indicating that it will be thrown, but I give her one last chance and then place the bowl back on the floor and it's eaten. 

Hi again, now a week down the line of satin balls, and had a "weigh in" pleased to say he has gained a kilo, looking great, he is in fabulous condition, lots of energy, no diarrohea, lovely firm stool!! and is eating them with relish, so although not right for some in this case we are very pleased. His coat is in very good condition and silky, it would soon show in his coat if he wasnt getting the right nutrients.

Any updates Lorripop?

Hi
Thanks for asking.

Well i decided to get strict and so initially went down the route of just giving her the AG with a bit of cheese or tinned meat like the rest of the dogs got. It did work and she ate fairly well but also had a phantom pregnancy which i think made her eat well.

She has gained some substance and will eat some of her dinner, very rarely eats all of it. I also put her on smaller kibble which she prefers and now keep to basic additions like a bit of grated cheese and some melted butter! this does the trick more than anything.

The only real thing that has changed dramatically is that I am not stressing about it anymore, if she eats then great if she doesn't then she goes hungry!

We have had some nice placings in the ring so i think with time she will body up eventually.

so glad I came across this thread!  My aunt has a min pin, who is of ok weight, but looks rather skinny.  He also only sometimes eats.  He can go days without touching a thing!  He looks so small in the show ring, like a 6 month old puppy as far as body goes, when he is actually two years old.  But as far as actually weight on the scale, he is right. 

so, I am gonna copy down some suggestions and pass them on to my aunt.  Thanks CDers!!!!!

my mastiff is like this! She will eat O.K. for a couple of days, then starve herself for a couple of days. Now, I just put her food down - if she eats it, fine, if she doesn't it gets thrown away. I swear to God she's anorexic!!!! Thanks for the tip about grated cheese - she loves this so I will try that with her next meal.